Pennington, wildcat help Dolphins beat Panthers

MIAMI(AP) -- Chad Pennington threw well from the pocket and also
from the flanker position.

The wildcat was back Saturday night, contributing to a strong
showing by the Miami Dolphins' first-team offense in a 27-17
victory over Carolina.

The Dolphins (2-0) scored 10 points in Pennington's three
series. He went 8 for 11 for 105 yards, throwing a 28-yard
touchdown pass to Ronnie Brown and hitting Patrick Cobbs for a
35-yard gain out of the wildcat.

The Dolphins' variation of the single wing also produced 18
yards in four running plays, with running back Brown taking the
snap each time. Coach Tony Sparano said the wildcat plays were
identical to those his team last year.

"There are really no secrets there, but it's good homework for
us - a chance to see what people have been studying during their
offseason, and how they want to defend this," Sparano said.

Carolina's starters scored for the first time in the exhibition
season when DeAngelo Williams broke four tackles, including two
behind the line of scrimmage, on a 25-yard touchdown run.

"Our first unit looked a little sharper," coach John Fox said.
"We're not there yet, but I thought it was an improvement."

Carolina (0-2) committed only one turnover after having five in
its opener, a loss to the New York Giants. But the Panthers did
fumble four times and botched a snap on a field goal, and their
run defense was soft for the second game in a row.

The Dolphins totaled 141 yards on the ground, and in the first
half they averaged 5.2 yards per carry.

"We've got to work on everything," Panthers defensive end Julius
Peppers said. "That's what the preseason is for."

Carolina middle linebacker Jon Beason left the game in the first
quarter with a knee injury and said he was told it was just a
sprain. He'll undergo tests Sunday.

The wildcat rejuvenated the Dolphins last year, but they had
kept it mostly under wraps in training camp before springing it
on Carolina. The most elaborate play from the formation was a
double handoff and pass, with Pennington coming off the flank to
throw deep to a wide-open Cobbs.

That led to a field goal.

"The wildcat went well," Pennington said. "Anything we can do to
get an edge, I'm all for it."

The Dolphins drove 60 yards on their first possession and scored
on Pennington's pass to Brown, who caught the ball at the 15 and
juked past a defender.

Brown also carried seven times for 31 yards, and Ricky Williams
carried three times for 21 yards, all in the opening half.

"We made some strides," Brown said. "We're going in the right
direction."

The Panthers' first team converted two third-and-long situations
on a 70-yard drive that ended with Williams' touchdown. That was
Carolina's only score in three series with Jake Delhomme, who
finished 5 for 7 for 47 yards.